ALOHA! The Polynesian Resort Information Thread: October 2013

[BlondeAppetit]

We did the Spirit of Aloha show on Thursday, June 12th of this year. We loved it and are glad we did it. We sat in Category 2 and had a great view. The food was delicious.

The first part of the show was kind of corny but my 9 year old loved it. The second part of the show is full of traditional dances from the different Polynesian islands, ending with the grand finale of a fire dancer, who is outstanding. I absolutely loved the second part of the show.

Thank you for you feedback!

 

[emij]

Thank you for you feedback!

You might get more responses on this topic on the restaurants board. We didn't do the show during our stay at Poly. Good luck!

 

[Wills Mom]

We just booked our first onsite stay for Sept 4-7 at the Poly! I can't believe its booked! We have two small kids and the monorail access will be so handy for naps or tantrums etc. I have a huge spider phobia though and reading that post a page or two back kinda scared me. So bearing spiders in mind and the two small kids what building would I be best off requesting? And should I ask for a balcony or not? Initially I was going to request one as DH and I could sit outside while the kids slept but my irrational fear of creepy crawlies has me second guessing!

 

[MickeyEars]

Just changed our late May reservation from the Yacht Club to the Poly. This will be our first time staying there. I'm so excited I just had to share!!

Carla

 

[5bound4wdw]

We did the Spirit of Aloha show on Thursday, June 12th of this year. We loved it and are glad we did it. We sat in Category 2 and had a great view. The food was delicious.

The first part of the show was kind of corny but my 9 year old loved it. The second part of the show is full of traditional dances from the different Polynesian islands, ending with the grand finale of a fire dancer, who is outstanding. I absolutely loved the second part of the show.

We have never done the Spirit of Aloha Show. Two dinner credits was always tough to swallow! Glad to see your opinion. We will be back at Poly in Aug '15 and our kids will be 8,9, & 13. I think they will really enjoy the show! Can't wait to see their reactions!

 

[5bound4wdw]

Just changed our late May reservation from the Yacht Club to the Poly. This will be our first time staying there. I'm so excited I just had to share!!

Carla

YC and Poly are both great! Can't go wrong with either one . Enjoy your stay!!!

 

[trishadono]

We just booked our first onsite stay for Sept 4-7 at the Poly! I can't believe its booked! We have two small kids and the monorail access will be so handy for naps or tantrums etc. I have a huge spider phobia though and reading that post a page or two back kinda scared me. So bearing spiders in mind and the two small kids what building would I be best off requesting? And should I ask for a balcony or not? Initially I was going to request one as DH and I could sit outside while the kids slept but my irrational fear of creepy crawlies has me second guessing!

Sorry to frighten you! Good thing is I never see them indoors at disney after many many trips



Don't give up on a balcony! I love Polys balcony

I see bunnies and ducks far more than creepies! So enjoy! (Besides dh there to protect you!)

 

[pixarmom]

I know I keep talking about possibly booking CL ...........but I wanted to ask if anyone had particular issues with guests "filling" their plates; treating the appitizers as meal replacements? I was reading another thread about CL in WDW and it was something that was seen by others staying atPoly CL. Apparently, sushi night is a big hit Everyone here seems positive about Poly CL, so I'd thought I'd ask! Is it common? Will last week of August be less crowded, so this won't be much of an issue? Anyone have any thoughts about this?! Thanks!

I've been staying at Poly since childhood, but CL there for the first time earlier this year. After reading reports on other threads, I wasn't sure we'd enjoy Poly CL as much as BWI, CR and BC. Our CL stay was in March/April during our kids' spring break, so a busy time of year. The lounge was busy but I wouldn't say it was overcrowded. Those tables in the front near the window were frequently occupied, but I'm a big fan of the tables upstairs, so that didn't bother me at all.

As for the food, in my opinion, there was a ton. We always have a dinner ADR (although after appetizers, my meal is usually a salad.) At times, a line would form for the appetizers, but the guests were all either polite or unremarkable, and I didn't pay much attention to how much they put on their plates. Not really my focus, and in the end, we didn't feel like the atmosphere was unpleasant in any way or that there was a rush on the appetizers. I know it can vary, but just wanted to assure you that my experience was different from some of the reports you reference!

 

[trishadono]

Just changed our late May reservation from the Yacht Club to the Poly. This will be our first time staying there. I'm so excited I just had to share!!

Carla

 

[prgal0715]

Hello all! I need some help from all of you Poly experts!!

I'm taking advantage of the late winter AP discounts and visiting the World from January 11th - 17th. I'm currently booked Woods View at WL, but would *love* to stay at the Poly, especially since I haven't stayed there in nearly 30 years!!

Since it's been such a long time, do you think the construction would disappoint me? I love WL and I'm certain there will be more AP discounts in my future, so please be honest! Thank you in advance.

 

[trishadono]

Hello all! I need some help from all of you Poly experts!!

I'm taking advantage of the late winter AP discounts and visiting the World from January 11th - 17th. I'm currently booked Woods View at WL, but would *love* to stay at the Poly, especially since I haven't stayed there in nearly 30 years!!

Since it's been such a long time, do you think the construction would disappoint me? I love WL and I'm certain there will be more AP discounts in my future, so please be honest! Thank you in advance.

It's just so hard. 1/2 don't mind and 1/2 do.

I am going soon but I have stayed there when it's complete so I don't mind.

Look at the pics on Tikiman's facebook page, it will help.

A lot depends on what you do during the day. If don't mind main pool closed, go for it!

 

[5bound4wdw]

I've been staying at Poly since childhood, but CL there for the first time earlier this year. After reading reports on other threads, I wasn't sure we'd enjoy Poly CL as much as BWI, CR and BC. Our CL stay was in March/April during our kids' spring break, so a busy time of year. The lounge was busy but I wouldn't say it was overcrowded. Those tables in the front near the window were frequently occupied, but I'm a big fan of the tables upstairs, so that didn't bother me at all.

As for the food, in my opinion, there was a ton. We always have a dinner ADR (although after appetizers, my meal is usually a salad.) At times, a line would form for the appetizers, but the guests were all either polite or unremarkable, and I didn't pay much attention to how much they put on their plates. Not really my focus, and in the end, we didn't feel like the atmosphere was unpleasant in any way or that there was a rush on the appetizers. I know it can vary, but just wanted to assure you that my experience was different from some of the reports you reference!

. Thanks!!!

 

[Wills Mom]

Sorry to frighten you! Good thing is I never see them indoors at disney after many many trips

Don't give up on a balcony! I love Polys balcony

I see bunnies and ducks far more than creepies! So enjoy! (Besides dh there to protect you!)

Lol well thats good to hear! I am a real no nonsense, tough gal type but turn to a puddle of quivering goo when a spider crosses my path!! I look forward to ducks and bunnies Good point on dh being there to protect me

 

[pixarmom]

Hello all! I need some help from all of you Poly experts!!

I'm taking advantage of the late winter AP discounts and visiting the World from January 11th - 17th. I'm currently booked Woods View at WL, but would *love* to stay at the Poly, especially since I haven't stayed there in nearly 30 years!!

Since it's been such a long time, do you think the construction would disappoint me? I love WL and I'm certain there will be more AP discounts in my future, so please be honest! Thank you in advance.

I agree with Trish - such a tough decision. When the discounts appeared for marathon weekend, we were torn between Poly CL and a Deluxe CL WL room. We chose Poly for marathon weekend. The convenience of Poly to the races (5K, half marathon and marathon runners, along with spectators!!) was the deciding factor. On the other hand, we chose WL in March because it will be a slower paced trip and we'll spend more time by the pool. No monorail, but we're not racing around from place to place, so it's OK.

If you're spending lots of time at the resort, WL may be the way to go. But if you're looking for convenient transportation and will spend a good amount of time in the parks, Poly would be great. We're decreasing the impact of the construction by staying CL, so we'll be in/around the Hawaii building most of the time.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[ashnjam]

Tomorrow we hit our double digits 99 days! still checking the cancellation threads and checking MDE site for a Chef Mickey’s breakfast to open up. I’m guessing spots might open up as we get closer to our check-in date and people tweak their plans?

 

[Cluelyss]

Tomorrow we hit our double digits 99 days! still checking the cancellation threads and checking MDE site for a Chef Mickey’s breakfast to open up. I’m guessing spots might open up as we get closer to our check-in date and people tweak their plans?

yippee!!! Check around the 45 day mark, as that us when final payments are due. Also, I saw tons of openings in the 2 weeks leading up to my trip. Good luck!!!

 

[pixarmom]

Tomorrow we hit our double digits 99 days! still checking the cancellation threads and checking MDE site for a Chef Mickey’s breakfast to open up. I’m guessing spots might open up as we get closer to our check-in date and people tweak their plans?

yippee!!! Check around the 45 day mark, as that us when final payments are due. Also, I saw tons of openings in the 2 weeks leading up to my trip. Good luck!!!

So funny you mention this! Our youngest just decided he would rather celebrate his birthday at Chef Mickey's instead of Garden Grill in January. (The rest of our family would not recommend this, but it's the birthday boy's choice, so we'll postpone Garden Grill until spring break!) We usually make ADRs around 7pm, but the only time available for us that night is 8:40pm - I'll be checking too!

 

[Lalalyn]

If we are in one of the longhouses closest to the GCH, how long does it typically take to get to MK via monorail?

We recently switched to the Poly and our daughter is falling in love with Stitch as we just started watching the movies. Based on our schedule, I think our best bet to do the character breakfast at 'Ohana is before our first park day at MK.

My kids get up early, so we could do a 7:30 or 7:45 ADR. But, I'm wondering how late that will get us to MK. We are spending two full days at MK and probably will spend one or two half afternoon days there when we spend time at other parks in the morning (AK).

 

[Cluelyss]

If we are in one of the longhouses closest to the GCH, how long does it typically take to get to MK via monorail? We recently switched to the Poly and our daughter is falling in love with Stitch as we just started watching the movies. Based on our schedule, I think our best bet to do the character breakfast at 'Ohana is before our first park day at MK. My kids get up early, so we could do a 7:30 or 7:45 ADR. But, I'm wondering how late that will get us to MK. We are spending two full days at MK and probably will spend one or two half afternoon days there when we spend time at other parks in the morning (AK).

I usually budget about an hour for character meals, and you will only be steps away from the monorail at 'Ohana. It's perhaps a 10 minute ride on the monorail, so entirely possible you could be at MK right at park opening, or very close to it. However, if you plan to see the Welcome Show, get a 7:30 ADR and eat fast

 

[Lalalyn]

I usually budget about an hour for character meals, and you will only be steps away from the monorail at 'Ohana. It's perhaps a 10 minute ride on the monorail, so entirely possible you could be at MK right at park opening, or very close to it. However, if you plan to see the Welcome Show, get a 7:30 ADR and eat fast

Thanks! I think the Welcome Show might have to be the thing that gives for this trip. For our other MK day, DD has a 8:30 am BBB reservation. I just know staying at the Poly she'll see the Stitch stuff and be so excited to meet him.

We have a fair amount of character meals, so I'm actually thinking of dropping one at the Tusker House making AK a shorter half-day or nixing my idea of the Akerhaus princess breakfast on our "rest" day. Decision, decisions!!! Might have to make some game-time decisions based on everyone's energy levels.